How to Stay Safe in a Tornado
• Never stay in mobile, manufactured homes, or trailers during a tornado warning. These are some of the worst places to be.
• If you're driving, go to the nearest building and take shelter there. If there is no nearby building, get in a ditch. Never park under overpasses.
• If you do not live in a mobile home/trailer, but it doesn't have a basement, get to the lowest, most interior part of the home that doesn't have any windows.
• Basements & storm cellars are the best place.
• Employers: have a plan in place. Get to the lowest, most interior part of the building that doesn't have any windows. Make sure to have weather radios that can be heard. Make all your employees aware of the severe weather threat and make sure there are clear, known guidelines for tornado warnings.
• Tornado sirens should never be your source to get warnings. Sirens are used for people outdoors only.
• A weather radio and/or a cell phone are the best ways to get severe weather alerts. A good app to use for alerts is AccuWeather (fastest).
• Have a tornado preparedness kit at the ready. It should include: Water & non-perishable food, flashlights, extra cell phone batteries, and a first aid kit.
• Stay weather aware and keep up-to-date with weather forecasts.
How to Stay Safe in Winter Storms
• Prepare to buy salt and a shovel to keep sidewalks clear of ice and snow.
• Keep a flashlight and batteries, and extra cell phone batteries ready in case of a power outage.
• Bring your pets inside.
• Let your water faucets slowly drip to keep from pipes freezing and/or open the cabinet doors where the pipes are to allow heat in.
• Stock up on non-perishable food.
• Dress warmly and limit time outdoors to prevent hypothermia.
• Stay weather aware and keep up-to-date with weather forecasts.
If traveling:
• Have a full tank of gas.
• Keep a cell phone charger, jumper cables, water, snacks, blankets, sand, hazard reflectors, a tow rope, and an ice/snow scraper in the car.
• Be prepared for more traffic, accidents, and longer driving times.
How to Stay Safe in Extreme Heat
• Reduce or eliminate outdoor activities.
• Wear lightweight, loose fitting, light-colored clothing.
• Limit direct exposure to sun.
• Drink plenty of cool water.
• Know the signs of heat exhaustion & a heat stroke.
• Check on older, young, those with health issues.
• Never leave kids or pets in cars.
• Keep your pets indoors.
How to Stay Safe in Extreme Cold
• Dress in warm, loose fitting, lightweight layers.
• Wear a hat and mittens.
• Limit time outdoors.
• Know the signs of hypothermia and frostbite.
Know the Difference
WARNING
Severe weather is imminent. Take action.
WATCH
Conditions are favorable for severe weather. Monitor weather forecasts and be prepared to take action.
Severe Weather Alerts
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
When severe thunderstorms are possible in and near the watch area. It does not mean that they will occur. It only means they are possible.
Tornado Watch
When severe thunderstorms and tornadoes are possible in and near the watch area. It does not mean that they will occur. It only means they are possible.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
58 mph or greater winds and/or quarter size hail or larger is imminent.
Tornado Warning
Either rotation has been detected on radar or a tornado or funnel cloud has been spotted.
Tornado Emergency
A tornado is expected to cause widespread damage and fatalities.
Flood Watch
When conditions are favorable for flooding. It does not mean flooding will occur, but it is possible.
Flash Flood Warning
Heavy rain has been detected on radar and is expected to cause flash flooding, or flash flooding has been reported.
Flash Flood Emergency
Very rare situations when extremely heavy rain is leading to a severe threat to human life and catastrophic damage from a flash flood is happening or will happen soon.
High Wind Watch
When the following conditions are possible: 1) sustained winds of 40 mph or higher for one hour or more or 2) wind gusts of 58 mph or higher for any duration.
High Wind Warning
Issued when the following conditions are expected: 1) sustained winds of 40 mph or higher for one hour or more or 2) wind gusts of 58 mph or higher for any duration.
Wind Advisory
Issued when the following conditions are expected: 1) sustained winds of 31 to 39 mph for an hour or more and/or 2) wind gusts of 46 to 57 mph for any duration.
Winter Weather Alerts
Winter Weather Advisory
Wintry weather expected. Exercise caution. Light amounts of wintry precipitation or patchy blowing snow will cause slick conditions and could affect travel if precautions are not taken.
Winter Storm Watch
Snow, sleet, or ice possible. Confidence is medium that a winter storm could produce heavy snow, sleet, or freezing rain and cause significant impacts.
Winter Storm Warning
Snow, sleet, or ice expected! Take Action. Confidence is high that a winter storm will produce heavy snow, sleet or freezing rain and cause significant impacts.
Blizzard Warning
Frequent gusts greater than or equal to 35 mph accompanied by falling and/or blowing snow, frequently reducing visibility to less than 1/4 mile for three hours or more. A Blizzard Warning means severe winter weather conditions are expected or occurring. Falling and blowing snow with strong winds and poor visibility is likely, leading to whiteout conditions making travel extremely difficult. Do not travel.
Ice Storm Warning
Ice accumulation of around 1/4 inch or more. This amount of ice accumulation will make travel dangerous or impossible and likely lead to snapped power lines and falling tree branches.
Wind Chill Warning
Combination of very cold air and strong winds that will create dangerously low wind chill values. This level of wind chill will result in frostbite and lead to hypothermia if precautions are not taken. Avoid going outdoors and wear warm protective clothing if you must venture outside.
Wind Chill Watch
When there is the potential for a combination of extremely cold air and strong winds to create dangerously low wind chill values.
Wind Chill Advisory
When low wind chill temperatures are expected but will not reach local warning criteria. Extremely cold air and strong winds will combine to generate low wind chill readings. If you must venture outdoors, take precautions against frostbite and hypothermia.
Freeze Watch
When there is a potential for significant, widespread freezing temperatures within the next 24-36 hours. A Freeze Watch is issued in the autumn until the end of the growing season (marked by the occurrence of the first widespread freeze).
Freeze Warning
When significant, widespread freezing temperatures are expected. A Freeze Warning is issued in the autumn until the end of the growing season (marked by the occurrence of the first widespread freeze).
Frost Advisory
When the minimum temperature is forecast to be 33 to 36 degrees on clear and calm nights during the growing season. A Frost Advisory is issued in the autumn until the end of the growing season (marked by the occurrence of first widespread freeze).
Other Weather Alerts
Heat Advisory
When daytime heat indices are forecast near or in excess of 105°F for any duration. A Heat Advisory may also be considered if sub-advisory criteria (100-105°) are forecast to persist for at least four consecutive days.
Excessive Heat Warning
When daytime heat indices are forecast near or in excess of 110°F for two consecutive days, with nighttime lows of at least 75°F. An Excessive Heat Warning may also be considered if Heat Advisory criteria are forecast to persist for at least four consecutive days.
Excessive Heat Watch
In advance of a warning if conditions are favorable for an excessive heat event in the next 24 to 72 hours.
Dense Fog Advisory
When widespread dense fog develops. It means that visibility is expected to be reduced by a quarter of a mile or less.